Buhari Vows To Kill Corruption Before It Kills Nigeria

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday put forward an 11-point covenant with Nigerians spread through various areas including Corruption and Governance, Access to Justice and Respect for Fundamental Human Rights, Insurgency and Insecurity, Niger Delta, Diversity, as well as Health and Education.

Buhari said his covenant was derived from the manifesto of his party and his on-the-ground experience during his recent travels across the country.

“No matter how vast our resources, if they are not efficiently utilized, they will only benefit a privileged few, leaving the majority in poverty. I believe if Nigeria does not kill corruption; corruption will kill Nigeria,” the former head of state said.

He pledged to publicly declare his assets and liabilities and encourage his political appointees to follow suit. He added that his government’s strategy for tackling corruption will not only focus on punishment but will also provide incentives for disclosure and transparency. In the war against corruption, he promised to show leadership and hold everyone in his cabinet to account.

Buhari vowed to “inaugurate the National Council on Procurement as stipulated in the Procurement Act so that the Federal Executive Council, which has been turned to a weekly session of contract bazaar, will concentrate on its principal function of policy making.”

He also promised to review and implement audit recommendations by Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

The APC candidate said he would work with the National Assembly towards the immediate enactment of a Whistle Blower Act and also “strengthen ICPC and EFCC by guaranteeing institutional autonomy including financial and prosecutorial independence and security of tenure of officials.

He also vowed to:

– Make the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) an autonomous and operational agency.

– Encourage proactive disclosure of information by government institutions in the spirit of the Freedom of Information Act.

– Ensure all MDAs regularly comply with their accountability responsibilities to Nigerians through the National Assembly.

– Work with the leadership of the National Assembly to cut down the cost of governance.